Farewell, Mr. Obama

Daily Times Reader Panel members bid former President Barack Obama farewell. Next week they’ll welcome President Donald Trump.

As you transition from White House to family home

Farewell to you, President Obama, and your family.

Life during the eight years you served your country was probably bittersweet. Living in a home in the middle of Washington, D.C., with hundreds of people coming and going at all hours, had to be difficult. That is really not the best home life.

It was probably impossible just to be yourself and walk around in your pajamas. Your family is probably relieved to venture into a more normal life, even though privacy will always be an issue.

Living in a bubble cannot be enjoyable.

We hear so much in the news about the secrets a president learns during his tenure. Maybe someday we will learn whether Area 51 actually harbors space aliens.

Eight years under a microscope is a very long time; it is time to move forward with your life. I wish you and your family a prosperous future with continued happiness.

Carl Crumbacker Sr.

Eden

A grateful farewell to a president who served with honor

Thank you, Mr. president, for the grace, manner and scandal-free way you conducted yourself in office.

We owe you gratitude for showing us that the racist barrier to the White House is no longer there, for showing us a first family that represented us to the world with graceful and proper decorum.

Thank you for saving our nation from economic collapse and growing the economy. Thank you for insuring millions with health care, lessening the number of our young people fighting around the world and helping to keep outside terrorist attacks away from our nation.

Lingering biased opposition did not deter you. Thank you for persevering.

You honored the office.

Geoff Smoot

Hebron

History will determine the value of your accomplishments

Mr. Obama, I bid you farewell. History will determine the value of your accomplishments.

You promised change, which did occur — but not always for the best.

The Affordable Care Act, although well-intentioned, was costly to the American people without being effective. Although some benefited, it was a disaster for others. And it was not universal. A success? Yes, for some, but not for many.

You tried to restore diplomatic ties with Cuba after 60 years of discontent, but Cuba has not improved its human rights. I was hoping civil rights would improve, but the country is still divided. I know you stressed diversity; maybe the focus could have been better directed.

You worked to raise the minimum wage and you did stimulate the economy after the worst recession since the Great Depression — both benefitting the American people; for this you should feel proud.

Thanks for your service.

Rose Carey

Delmar

Thank you, President Obama, for restoring dignity and grace

President Obama, thanks to you and your family for restoring dignity and grace to the office of the presidency.

Best wishes for success in whatever you choose to do in the future. I am confident we will all benefit from your efforts.

Jay Martin

Bivalve

Mr. President, ‘parting is such sweet sorrow’

As Shakespeare said, parting is such sweet sorrow. You were swept into office on a wave of high hopes for rebuilding a broken America, broken in policy and broken in spirit. Reflecting back, there were some high points and, unfortunately, some low points.

First and foremost, I believe you portrayed the picture of a great family man and a wonderful father. In an age of too many single-parent families, you showed America that having a nuclear family is a good thing.

However, to paraphrase Marlon Brando, you coulda been a hero. Too many times, I think you allowed your ego to rule your decisions. Too many chances to cross the aisle and extend a hand of inclusiveness were blocked by ideology and party partisans.

In the end, while we are all just a fleeting moment in the long halls of history, it seems you squandered your chance for everlasting glory.

Arie Klapholz

Ocean Pines

President Obama, you brought both change and hope to USA

My family will miss your disciplined, decent, ethical, old-fashioned family in the white House. It’s too early to know how you will be ranked by historians, but I believe you will have future high marks.

You didn’t do everything right. Take Syria, for example. You have been criticized plenty for the Affordable Care Act. Our family didn’t need it. But I have heard the testimony of others, their lives saved.

Now the lives of those Americans and others are in the hands of new leaders.

Your optimistic “Yes we can” has faded, but two steps forward and a step back is standard for inconsistent Americans. Don’t underestimate the distance you have taken us — and not just economically.

You brought not only change, but hope. Hope as represented in Kristin Helberg’s painting, “High Hopes.” Hope never before known.

Any American child really can become president.

Goodbye to you and your family.

George Timothy Mason

Salisbury

Farewell to a not-so-great president

Farewell, Mr. Obama. Although you appear to be a nice guy, I did not agree with many of your views — and I don’t appreciate the “change” you inflicted upon our country.

In my opinion, it was a change for the worse.

Rather than leading Americans (especially our youth) not into temptation and delivering the U.S. from evil, you have misguided them unto the perilous broad road leading to destruction.

During my youth, I chose to become a Democrat because of John F. Kennedy. In 2010, I made the decision to never be a Democrat again because of you, Mr. Obama. As a popular saying goes, “President Kennedy set out to put a man on the moon, while President Obama set out to put a man in the ladies’ room.”

As aforementioned, you seem like a nice guy — but I’m elated you have packed your belongings to live elsewhere.

Andy Berges

Berlin

Goodbye to the greatest president ever

Dear President Barack Obama, what more can I say about you?

You’re a total inspiration to me. I love your oratorical skills, grace, respect for women, your love for people and your classy mannerisms.

You’re an idol to me and I want to be, well, not exactly like you, but one day to be similar. You’re an example of how a man should carry himself.

Some people might make derogative statements about your legacy because of the nature of your position.

However, you will forever have a supporter in me. I think you’re the greatest president of all time.

You have left your mark — and it is a grand legacy. God bless you, sir, and your beautiful family.